Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Katie Hopkins on University Challenge (Rousse)

‘Katie Hopkins? Katie Hopkins on University Challenge?’ I asked. ‘Yes’, replied HJ, ‘Representing Birmingham University’. This was all related to me on a Scottish beach where, by complete coincidence, was gathered an array of my undergraduate friends. Here I also … Continue reading →

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Library staff roles in University elearning systems (Rousse)

The vice chancellor was going to the US for a fortnight and left SC in charge of everything, including finance. Just before he left, he asked SC to read out the history of the University as printed in gold embroidery … Continue reading →

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Highland hotel murder mystery quiz mistaken for Dr Who rehearsal (Rousse)

We recognised the ghillie as the one from the Ardushiane Hotel. He had once asked on the last evening of a weekend trip to the Highlands whether we would be shooting the next day. At the time I had been … Continue reading →

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Quad on the Tyne – with David Tennant (Rousse)

My mother took up observing the wildlife of East Lothian in the dead of night using infra-red technology. She invited us to join her one evening. David Tennant turned up to wave us off – my mother on a quadbike, … Continue reading →

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Easter egg wedding presents (Rousse)

AL and EF turfed out their tenants and returned to the flat above ours to host their wedding celebrations with their two children. There was no wedding list. As a result, AL and EF amassed a load of unexpected presents. … Continue reading →

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In-law social climbers (Rousse)

My in-laws were terrible social climbers. They forced me and my husband to enter a cycling race that – if we won – would reward us with a job placement with some posh person. (Of course, it was highly unlikely … Continue reading →

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Queen honours crocodile-tailed, Tweed-suited swimmer (Rousse)

The swimmer dressed in a tweed suit and crocodile tail, and competing against his two sons, impressed the Queen so much so that she made him a baron.

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Things to do in Orkney (with Maltesers) (Rousse)

The weather was fabulous in Orkney. At the county show I bought the most enormous beef burger. In Kirkwall we watched a parade of emergency services vehicles and ate free Maltesers in the art gallery.

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The shame of the husband who shames his wife in public (Rousse)

TPR had fallen into the habit of shaming me in public. For example, he made lewd remarks about his choice of life-partner to our widowed bed and breakfast host. Then I caught him laying bets on the outcome of Wimbledon … Continue reading →

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Stop distracting me, Sir Ian McKellan! (Belle)

Three weeks into my mathematics degree I still hadn’t made it to a single class.  Every time I tried to make my way to the classroom, I would be waylaid by Sir Ian McKellan and Michael York offering me small bottles … Continue reading →

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